by Milly Taiden
In fact, he bet they’d have the cleanest apartment in the building.
Marika opened an office door and flipped up the light switch. Devin stood on the threshold and stared at the catastrophe. Papers were everywhere—over the entire floor, desk, chairs, sofa, filing cabinets. Scientific magazines and books lay scattered on any open spot in the room. He heard his inner panther say, Uh-oh.
His mate opened a small closet tucked in the corner. He watched as an avalanche of stuff fell out onto the floor. More books and magazines, a football, cordless drill, hammer, Christmas decorations, and god knew what else. She waded through it like it was nothing and plucked a white lab coat from a hanger.
After sliding it on, she looked at him and smiled. “All ready.” His face must’ve still registered shock because her smile vanished. “What?” Her eyes darted around the room. “Sorry about the chaos. When Rupen came in this morning, I put his ass on the floor and sorta made a mess of everything.”
Instantly he felt better. There was a logical reason for the disaster. She was probably very organized like her mother but with working long hours and so much going on, things must have gotten out of hand at home. “Must have been a big battle to make this kind of damage.”
“No, not really. My fox and I are super fast. We had him pinned in seconds.” Her brow raised. “See, I can take care of myself.” She stuck her tongue out at him.
He was on her faster than she thought possible. He had her back against the wall, hands held over her head. “Now, my love. Stick that tongue out once more and see what happens.”
That happy spark in her eyes turned to a hungry, lustful look. Fuck, his dick and cat sat straight up to check out what was going on. They both wanted to taste the woman tightly pressed to him. Maybe they had time for a quickie before their boss came nosing around.
Then Rupen’s words played in his mind. The man wanted to get out of here, wherever that was. He sighed and ran his lips up her neck. “We need to get back before the head honcho realizes we disobeyed his direct order.”
Marika groaned. “Are you always by the book?”
His cat wanted to say no, but the human overruled this time. “Yes. Mostly.”
She stretched up on her toes and bit his earlobe. “We have to work on breaking you of that.” A coy grin shined up at him. He swore he heard his cock whimper. She took his hand and led him to the lab where the big cheese was bent over a microscope.
“You had three more minutes before I hunted you two down. You could’ve had a quick quickie.”
Devin scrunched his nose. “I’d prefer a bit longer than that.” He slid a hand down his mate’s backside, taking a handful of plump, perfect ass. She squeaked and jumped forward a bit, keeping her smile for the boss man. Her hand blindly swatted behind her, trying to dislodge his firm hold. Not happening. He changed his mind. He did want the quick quickie. Not happening either.
Then he remembered his excuse for driving down to FAWS. He reached inside his coat chest pocket and pulled out Russel’s tube of blood. “Almost forgot to give you this. Russ’s blood for multishifters.”
Marika plucked it from his fingers and prepared a glass sample for the microscope while Rupen spoke. “The pelt seems to be a colloid with the same attributes as the muddy water. This composite could change the world in many ways. We need to find out who created it.”
“That seems to be the mystery of the day for me too. Who is Klamin?”
Both Rupen and Marika spun to face him. “Klamin?” they said together.
Devin smiled. “Guess you two heard of him?” His mate and boss shared a look. His smile turned to a frown. He didn’t want anyone sharing anything with her. Even his boss.
“Tell me what you know about this guy.” He eyed Rupen for the information.
The lieutenant colonel sighed and looked at the two. He seemed to be deciding on something. “What the hell. This goes no farther than this room. Got it?”
The couple nodded.
“Klamin was contracted with the military in Afghanistan to supervise work on injured soldiers to create—” He stopped. “Well, his work related to decreasing healing time for downed soldiers, among other things.”
“Did he succeed?” she asked.
“Don’t know. He drove out the gate one night and never returned. We assumed he was killed. Took all the research data with him. His crew said they were at a problem they couldn’t get past. The research was halted and the project died as far as I know.” He turned to Marika. “What do you know?”
“I’ve come across his name several times in the files given to me to research the shifter creation theories. But it’s in the most recent areas of work, the newer records. Like he added to what the elders started.”
“Do you have those files?” Rupen asked. Mari circled the long island to the other side and lifted a box onto the countertop.
“I noticed how different these papers were from older ones. This might be his work.” She handed him a thick stack of notes.
“How did he get access to these? They were supposedly found in an unearthed bunker in the Shenandoah Valley not too long ago.”
“From what I could understand, he worked in the lab that had all this research. He was able to recreate shifter DNA, then he found something ‘miraculous’ and his notes stopped there. I followed his research and discovered a flaw in his work. The shifter DNA didn’t mix with human blood. The human injected with shifter traits always died, painfully, I’m afraid. His creation theory didn’t work.”
Devin jumped in with confusion. “Wait. What is the creation theory? And what research do you have?”
Rupen looked at him. “If she tells you about that stuff . . .”
Marika finished his thought. “I’ll have to kill you.” Both laughed at Devin’s incredulous look.
“Seriously?” he said.
“Let me start,” Rupen said, “with the beginning, based on what we’ve deciphered from history and evidence.” He turned to Marika. “If something is different from what you’ve been told, speak up.” The lieutenant colonel leaned against a counter. “Around a thousand years ago, a spaceship crash-landed on our planet. Many survived and had no choice but to go on with their lives, here. We assumed their communications capabilities were damaged beyond repair or they would’ve signaled for help from their planet.
“During their time, they created a species that bridged the gap between animals and humans. We’re not sure the reasoning behind doing this, but the fact that they had technology to accomplish this is incredible.”
“Wait,” Devin said. “How does one create a species? What species?”
Aliens. That didn’t shock him. He was a shifter. Nothing shocked him when it came to the paranormal.
Marika raised her hand. Rupen looked at her. “Mari, we’re not in school.” She snapped her hand down. “Sorry, I can’t help but be excited. This is my special project we’re talking about. I’m studying the notes and work of these ancient people who crash-landed on Earth. It’s unbelievable.”
Devin smiled and kissed her temple. “You be as excited as you want. I’ll just try to hold on for the ride.”
Her cheeks blushed. “Anyway, you create a new species by engineering them. Take the resources available and trial-and-error your way through until you have the traits and characteristics you want.”
Rupen nodded. “Yes, and that’s exactly what they did when they created the various shifter species on this planet.”
Devin stared wide-eyed at them. “That’s not possible. I mean . . . you—you just can’t mix two living entities together and come out with something new. That’s like mixing brownies and cookies to get crownies. It doesn’t happen.”
Marika kissed his cheek. “Hush. That does work. My first attempt at baking turned out something like that. Mom wouldn’t let me touch the oven again.”
Rupen continued. “Not too long ago, we discovered a plot intended to harm Earth. With help from others, we were able to find the organizer
s and take out their compound. Upon interviewing them, we found out about another part of the plot that was developing elsewhere. This may be the other plot.
“This other scheme was far more advanced in its abilities to . . . to take over our country.” With their gasps, Rupen held up a hand. “We believe it’s actually a conspiracy between Russia and someone inside the States already. If you see or hear the name Yugo Harzoon, let me know immediately. He’s dangerous and wealthy, which means he has the capability to do a lot. We’re trying to find out who the contact here is and where they are hiding out. This man has the intel we need.”
“I’ve never heard of Yugo Harzoon,” Devin said. “I’ll get with Milkan and the others to see if they’ve heard the name.”
Marika turned back to the blood sample Devin handed her moments ago. “Hold that thought, Devin. Before you go, Rupen, I want to see what multishifter blood looks like. Do you know much about multishifters, sir?” she asked.
“No,” he said. “I haven’t had a chance to learn much about the species since there are so few of them. It’s quite nice to have one on the fellowship team. We’re very fortunate.”
“Agreed,” Devin said. “Russel is a great guy. I’ve seen him as a rat and skunk now. He’s great at his job, even though bad luck in the form of cats seems to follow him.”
“Why a skunk?” his mate asked. “If he sprays himself, he could damage his nose—not to mention our noses—for a week.”
Devin didn’t want to get into the investigation, so he let the two drift toward the scope and blood plates. Until he had more information, he didn’t want to bring up the mayor with the media already converging on their town. He’d let that play out to see if something shook loose.
After Marika and Rupen swapped out sample plates several times and stared through the microscope seemingly forever, they surfaced for air.
“I’ll be damned,” Rupen said. “The wolf is a multishifter. But the shiny things aren’t in the agent’s blood. So Perry and the wolf have something none of you born shifters have.”
“I saw it too,” Marika said. “What do you think it could be?”
Rupen shrugged. “Perhaps you are right about the regrowth theory. But I’ll tell you, he didn’t find this miraculous healing power without help. It had to have come from something on that alien ship where the original research was discovered.”
Devin swallowed hard. How was Charli going to handle it when Mari told her the person she loved was partially alien?
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Devin zipped up the body bag containing the wolf and stuck it in the freezer. He had started his day looking at the dead thing and was ending it the same way. Not ideal in his book. But he was within feet of his mate, with no boss around anymore, so nothing else mattered.
Marika grabbed his hand and headed toward the back of the building. Hopefully they were going someplace other than her office. Wow, that was something else. He wondered if through the years he’d become too rigid, too set in his ways to adapt to the changing world.
The loss of so many lives had taken its toll, hardening him against emotions. The bottom of a bottle had been his favorite sight for far too long.
Now the sight walking in front of him raised his spirits more than anything else ever could. How would he survive if she was lost to him? He couldn’t even finish the thought; it hurt so badly. Automatically, he started shutting down his feelings, building that wall that had protected him for months after the double funeral.
His panther swiped at him, telling him to get his head out of his ass. Devin shook his head. No, he couldn’t. The loss of his mate would end him. He’d skip the bottle and go straight to the end. Do not pass Go.
Marika pushed on a metal door, taking them outside into a shaded area with tables and chairs. A narrow swath of dirt held colorful flowers and herbs that scented the air. Rosemary and lavender soothed his tortured insides. Until his mate turned and punched him in the arm.
Shit. He shied away, wondering what he’d done now. Scratch that, he knew what he’d done. Doubted himself and her. That was twice she’d left a bruise on him. Maybe she was more capable than he gave her credit for.
“Yeah, that’s right,” she stated, fists on her hips. “Don’t think I didn’t smell you freaking out just now. You were all over the board.” She sighed and dragged him to a lounge chair in the sun. His mate seated him first, then she snuggled between his legs, wrapping his arms around her. She smelled so good, so soothing.
“Okay, love,” she said, “tell me what’s going on. Are you regressing to your Neanderthal thoughts?”
Anger crept up in him. “Just because I want to keep you safe doesn’t mean I’m a caveman.”
“No, it doesn’t. It makes you vulnerable to those who want to hurt you and bring you down. It distracts you from your job, which will get you killed.” She twisted around and took his face in her hands. “You are correct thinking you can’t live without me. But have you thought about how I would live without you? I wouldn’t either. Mates can’t go on without each other.”
He knew how mates worked. What was her point? He didn’t want to do what he knew he had to. He had to trust. The last time he trusted his family was safe, they were killed.
“There you go again.” She sighed. “What is going through your head? Talk to me, Devin.” His cat repeated her sentiment in his head. Were they both against him now?
“Look, Marika. When you’ve seen what I have for so many years, it gets hard to see the good in the world. Your focus comes to what bad thing is happening next, because there sure as hell will be something bad: murders, shootings, suffering, seeing kids living without food or shelter. It’s been drilled into me to not feel. And when I did, I found I couldn’t handle it.
“I want you and love you, and I’m trying to find a way to live without being scared shitless you’ll be dead when I get home.” He squeezed her tightly to him, fighting his fear, fighting the bloody image of his apartment after his cover was blown. No. He couldn’t do this.
His defense mechanism kicked in, shutting out all the pain and bringing the cold, hard facts of his latest case to his mind. “Tell me all you discovered today with the wolf. Is there anything to lead us to the second attacker with it?”
His mate sighed. She had to know he was avoiding the subject they needed to talk through. But wasn’t that what all guys did?
“Okay, sweetie. I’ll let it go for now, but we have to find a solution we can live with together. Got it?” He nodded, thankful she was so understanding. “Rupen and I discovered several things, but we didn’t get a chance to put it all into perspective before he left.”
He smiled. “I’m very good with perspective, especially when it’s not my own.” She snorted and rolled her eyes. “So let’s hear what you’ve got.”
Marika went through the list of physical traits discovered in the last few hours. Body size larger than normal wolf shifter; respiratory and muscle systems more efficient than normal; skin that was bulletproof, but not finger-poking proof; smaller brain; hard growths on body seemingly protecting areas vulnerable to damage (face and legs); and a multishifter.
“Sounds a whole lot like an engineered superkiller to me. This Klamin dude doesn’t seem like a nice guy.”
“So you’re saying Klamin is responsible for the senator’s death?”
He thought about that. “I think Klamin had the senator killed because of a pipeline project.”
“The Sea-Sac Pipeline?” she asked.
He looked at her. “What do you know about it?”
“Not much.” She shrugged. “Just what’s been in the news. An oil company wants to run a pipe from Seattle to Sacramento to expedite oil down to California. It’s supposed to make getting oil through the mountains faster. But I haven’t heard much about it lately. I think it’s been held up for some reason. I wouldn’t know why someone would kill the senator over it.”
He thought about the phone conversation Russel overheard earlie
r today. Klamin, Hayseed, and the mayor were in cahoots. Then a comment Russel had said came to mind: the mayor would have more power than he ever imagined.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Sitting outside behind the FAWS building in a lounger with the hunkiest man alive, Marika was more than exasperated with her mate. Why was this man of hers making things so difficult? She understood his loss and grief. She’d lost family members unexpectedly too. But she didn’t let it define her life. Of course, she hadn’t been exposed to the underbelly of society as Devin had been.
She was determined to get him through this. Determined to make the sun shine in his life, even if she had to cram it down his throat. She just needed to figure out the best way to do it.
She opened up the picnic basket she’d packed today for her midafternoon snack. Her fox’s hyperactivity burned a lot of calories. If she didn’t eat a second meal before going home, she’d be nearly dead. And now with her mate here, they could spend the time together.
Plastic containers of fruit, cold chicken, and rolls were stacked on the table next to the lounger they shared. Then she took two water bottles and put them next to the food.
“I made us a snack,” she said, hoping he would want to take part. Frankly, she didn’t know more than what he’d already told her, and that just wasn’t enough. She wanted to know everything about him. After all, he was the man she’d share her life with now. “I figured we could get to know each other a little better.”
He nodded and eyed the chicken container. “Ask me anything. I’ll always be honest with you.”
Oh man. He was so gonna get some later. “So what do you do for fun?”
Devin raised his brows. “I like to organize my clothes.”
She giggled and passed him a piece of cold fried chicken. “Not work. I said fun. Like, I like to go on roller coasters.”
He made a face like she had lost her mind. “Roller coasters? I guess I like to watch the news.”
